Palestine Space Institute

@palestinespace.bsky.social

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https://linktr.ee/palestinespace Profile: The Palestine Space Institute logo. Banner: white text on a teal background. Advocating for Peace, from Palestine to the Stars

Dark blue background with the top half of Earth at night with lights. Centered text: PSI logo Palestine Space Institute PSI 2026 Workshop Series. Bringing Humanity to the Stars. A community effort to co-produce knowledge for justice in space. Apply Now button.
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SPACEWASHING Social justice requires examining how systems of power, inequality, and violence are produced and sustained. Presenting space as neutral and universally beneficial only serves to limit scrutiny of how it hinders social justice via: militarism and the arms trade surveillance, borders, and occupation colonial and extractive practices This is what PSI has termed “spacewashing.” Spacewashing describes how states and corporations use space activities, space science, and space imaginaries to deflect attention from their role in violence, militarism, and the military-industrial complex.
PSI Logo WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE SPACEWASHING 101 How space exploration is used to whitewash militarism, colonialism, apartheid, and genocide
Idris Elba as Marshal Stacker Pentecost in Pacific Rim (2013) saying "I'll always be here for you. You can always find me in the drift."
Palestine Space Institute logo and header “PSI Fellowship General Info.” Text explains the six-month remote fellowship open to individuals worldwide, with mentorship and research support provided. Expected outcomes include a research report, blog post, and presentation. Fellows receive a stipend upon completion. Blue background with glowing edges.
Graphic announcement with the Palestine Space Institute logo. Text reads: “Call for Applications. Palestine Space Institute Fellowship 2025–2026. Deadline: November 10. Apply Now.” The background features a glowing blue gradient.
The Palestine Space Institute logo in the middle of the page. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. Center aligned white text above the logo says “Palestine Space Institute Fellowship Showcase.” Center aligned white text underneath the logo says “Join to learn more about the work of our 2024 PSI Fellows October 27 at 7PM CET.” There is a button that says register now. The background is dark blue and teal gradient.
Dark blue and teal poster with logos of Palestine Space Institute and (Un)Common Cosmos at the top. Title reads “Event Program.” Timeline lists: 4:00 – Introduction & Acknowledgement: Addressing IAC censorship. 4:10 – “Decolonial Practices in Space” by Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, Karman Fellow, The Karman Project. 4:25 – “As Above So Below: Genocide & Ecocide” by Juan Francisco Salazar, Professor, Western Sydney University. 4:40 – “Space and the Military Industrial Complex: Spacewashing Genocide at the IAC” by Sahba El-Shawa, Founder, Palestine Space Institute. 5:00 – “Rocket Launches & Weapons Testing: Addressing Australia’s Complicity in Genocide” by Casey Domingo and Harriet Hurley, Co-founders, (Un)Common Cosmos. 5:20 – Panel & Discussion moderated by Giuliana Rotola, Fellowship Coordinator, Palestine Space Institute.
Dark blue and teal poster with logos of Palestine Space Institute and (Un)Common Cosmos at the top. The bold title reads “IAC Counter Event: Spacewashing, Justice, and Genocide in Gaza.” Subtext explains the event confronts the space industry’s complicity in colonialism, militarism, and genocide, exposing companies profiting from war and colonial violence and creating space for justice-driven visions of exploration. A turquoise starry map outline of Palestine is on the right. A highlighted box states: “This is a call to resist. To hold our industry accountable. To demand a future for space that is rooted in justice rather than violence.” Event details: Wednesday October 1st, 4–6 PM AEST, University of Sydney, with exact location shared upon registration. The bottom notes the event is taking place on the Traditional Lands of the Gadigal people and includes a QR code for info and registration.
A digital graphic with a dark blue gradient background featuring glowing white and cyan text. At the top, the Palestine Space Institute (PSI) logo and name are displayed in white. Below, bold white text reads "Contemporary Developments in Space Ethics Conference." A subheading in smaller white text states, "Catch PSI on the 'Justice' panel presenting:" followed by the talk title in bold cyan and white text: "SPACEWASHING AND THE MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX: A PROPOSED FRAMEWORK AND CASE STUDY." At the bottom, The Open University logo is displayed with the text "Organized by The Open University." The date and time of the panel, "March 21 at 10 AM GMT," and a note that "Free registration is still open" are included in white text.
Graphic on a gradient dark blue and teal background showing the logo of the Palestine Space Institute at the top, followed by text that reads: 'Meet us at the 2024 United Nations Conference on Space Law and Policy, 19-21 November 2024, Vienna, Austria.' At the bottom, there is a photo of AJ Link, labeled with their name and title: 'AJ Link, Human Rights & Policy Lead.'
PSI IAC Announcement Graphic on a cosmic blue and gradient blue backgrounds. At the top is the IAC 75 logo for the International Astronautical Congress from 14-18 October 2024 in Milan, Italy. In the middle is the Palestine Space Institute name and logo. Underneath are the headshots for AJ Link, Sahba El-Shawa, and Giuliana Rotola. At the bottom it says: Presenting Symposium E1 Session 2 | The Palestine Space Institute: Disrupting a Cultural of Space Militarism, Colonialism, and Imperialism Symposium E9 Session 3 | Space as a Zone of Peace: Envisioning a Resolution for the Demilitarization of Outer Space.
White text on a dark blue background, with the PSI logo in the top right corner. The top left corner reads "PSI webinar." The headline is "Forensic Architecture: Regarding Palestine." Presented by Dr Samaneh Moafi from Forensic Architecture, and hosted by the Palestine Space Institute. It is on Wednesday July 24, 2024 at 17:00 UTC. Below is a blue icon that says "Register now".
White text on a dark blue background, with the PSI and Demilitarize Education logos in the top right corner. The top left corner reads "PSI webinar." The headline is "Comrades in Arms: Universities and the Military Industrial Complex." Presented by Okopi Ajonye from Demilitarize Education, and hosted by the Palestine Space Institute. It is on Wednesday July 17, 2024 at 17:00 UTC. Register at the Link in Bio
Header says “Space and the military-industrial complex: A PSI report and database.” Above is the Palestine Space Institute logo. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI against a dark blue and teal gradient background.
Header says “Space and the military-industrial complex: PSI report and database” above the Palestine Space Institute logo. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. Underneath the logo it says “Coming Soon” in all capital letters. The background is a dark blue and teal gradient.
A picture of Martian hills from the Curiosity rover. In the bottom left corner of the picture there’s a grey box with white text that says “BAE Systems Processors and Mapping Software Support NASA’s Curiosity While Roving on Mars.” Underneath in white text it says “Mars rover terrain images are processed using BAE Systems software that was developed for military applications.” Underneath in centered white text on a dark teal text bubble it says “‘Space and defense’ companies supply Israel with satellites, aircraft, and weapons components while whitewashing their image with space exploration (PSI Space and MIC Database, 2024).”
A then and now comparison of Maxar images, published by Reuters, show the before/after of the recent bombing of Jabalia refugee camp. Underneath in white text it says “Maxar and Planet boast humanitarian projects but restricted public access to satellite data in October 2023.” Underneath in centered white text on a dark teal text bubble it says “Our satellite data is not distinct from military satellites. These Maxar images, published by Reuters, show the before/after of the recent bombing of Jabalia refugee camp. Maxar also provides satellite data to the IOF.”
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “Colonial Legacy of Surveillance” in all capital letters. Body text is a bulleted list. Bullet 1: Mapping technologies, including geospatial techniques, also continue the project of surveillance of Palestinians through tracking locations and facilitating checkpoints. Bullet 2: Location data are weaponized by Israel to target healthcare and aid workers in Gaza, as well as hospitals, civil facilities, and other infrastructure vital to Palestinian life. Bullet 3: Surveillance technology is afforded to colonial entities without question, whereas access to satellite data is conveniently restricted when it could monitor Israeli activity (see Kyl-Bingaman Amendment).
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “The Remote Sensing Paradox” in all capital letters. Body text is a bulleted list. Bullet 1: Remote sensing isn’t passive representation of “nature”—it draws and inscribes motivations and propaganda the same way that maps do. Bullet 2: Satellite images can empower documentation of genocide, settlements, and ecocide. Bullet 3: But digital maps (like Google) continue terra nullius: changing Arabic names of Palestinian places, incorrectly representing built environments, and conveying expansion of the Israeli map through its illegal settlements.
A greyscale map of southern Gaza with red, orange and grey dots representing Greenhouses that were destroyed (red), partially destroyed (orange), or remaining (grey) during the Ground Invasions October 2023 (dark red) and November 2023 (bright red). The map is labeled: “No Traces of Life: Israel’s Ecocide in Gaza 2023–2024,” Forensic Architecture, March 29 2024.” Underneath in centered white text on a dark teal text bubble it says “Environmental racism and eco-apartheid, ecocide, water rights, food/climate/reproductive justice are all tied to mapping the political entity of Israel to Palestinian land and constantly expanding, defining, redefining borders to control and erase Indigenous peoples.”
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “Mapping ‘Nothing’ in Palestine” in all capital letters. Body text is a bulleted list. Bullet 1: Britain used maps to carve up Palestine, inscribing its extractivist, colonial end-goals. Bullet 2: Surveys by the British Mandate monitored and (underlined) erased Palestinian social and political life & language, feeding into the Zionist trope of “A land without a people for a people without a land.” Bullet 3: The common Zionist myth of “making the desert bloom” maps nothingness onto the nature in Palestine and naturalizes ecocide, greenwashing settler colonialism.
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “What’s in a map?” in all capital letters. Body text is a bulleted list. Bullet 1: A map is a model of reality—shaped by what it is meant to capture, and then be used for. Bullet 2: Colonialist mappers record land as empty or barren, whereas science often draws nature as separate from people. Bullet 3: Settler colonialism, slavery, and the rise of capitalism led to cataloguing natural and human resources separately for extraction and exploitation. Bullet 4: Zionists insist that Palestinians are not rooted to the land but Arab interlopers, while reselling extracted resources as their own. Underneath in centered white text on a dark teal text bubble it says “Terra nullius” = “land of no one” = ideological basis of settler colonialism”.
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “What is Land Day?” in all capital letters. Body text is a bulleted list. Bullet 1: Land Day, observed on March 30th each year, marks a significant event in Palestinian history and resistance. It commemorates the day in 1976 when the Israeli government announced a plan to expropriate thousands of acres of land for state purposes. This sparked widespread protests and a general strike, involving Palestinians with Israeli citizenship and in the occupied Palestinian territories.” Bullet 2: “Peaceful protests were met with a violent response from the Israeli military, resulting in the deaths of six Palestinians, with hundreds more wounded.” Underneath in centered white text on a dark teal text bubble it says “Land Day has since become a symbol of Palestinian resistance against Israeli policies and a day to remember the struggle for land.”
On the right side of the image is an outline of the map of Palestine with a blue galaxy cluster filled in. On the left side in white text it says “Land Day and Space” with the subheading that says “Remote sensing, Maps, Surveillance, and the Military-Industrial Complex” In the bottom left corner in white there’s the PSI logo and text that says “Palestine Space Institute.” The PSI logo is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. The background for the whole image is a dark blue and teal gradient.
Center aligned white text above the logo says “The Palestine Space Institute Fellowship. 50 plus Applications Received.” The Palestine Space Institute logo is at the bottom of the page. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. The background is dark blue and teal gradient.
The Palestine Space Institute logo in the middle of the page. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. Center aligned white text at the top says “The Palestine Space Institute Fellowship.” Center aligned white text above the logo says “Deadline extended” and center aligned white text below the logo says “Apply Now!”. Center aligned white text at the bottom says “Deadline: March 15th” but it is crossed out. Underneath it now says “Deadline: March 22nd.”
The Palestine Space Institute logo in the middle of the page. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. Center aligned white text above the logo says “The Palestine Space Institute Fellowship.” Center aligned white text underneath the logo says “Frequently Asked Questions.” The background is dark blue and teal gradient.
Center aligned white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Top line says, “Apply Now.” Next two lines say, “The Palestine Space Institute Fellowship.” Underneath is the Palestine Space Institute logo. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. Underneath the logo the text says “Deadline: March 15th.” Underneath is a url: tiny.cc/psi-fellowship.
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “PSI Fellowship Topic Number 4” in all capital letters. Body text says, This research seeks to uncover the multifaceted interconnections among space companies, their funding mechanisms, and the financial dividends derived from ongoing military assaults in Gaza. The overarching objective is to produce a clear, visual narrative of the space industry's complicity in these endeavors, thereby presenting a critical examination of the ethical ramifications associated with their participation and questioning the extent to which these companies profit from war.”
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “PSI Fellowship Topic Number 4” in all capital letters. Body text says, ”The nature of space as a dual-use industry means that space and defense are interlinked, amplifying the ethical complexities surrounding the space industry's role in military endeavors. In the wake of the most recent assault on Gaza, we have seen the stock prices of defense companies skyrocket, shedding light on the financial incentives driving the arms trade and the complicity of various sectors, including the space industry.”
At the top is the symbol for Space for Palestine. It is a white image with a solid white dove facing to the right with its wings spread behind it while holding an olive branch in its mouth. Underneath in centered white text it says “Space for Palestine” in all capital letters. Underneath that it says “PSI Fellowship Topic Number 3”. Body text in the middle says “Mapping the Space Industry's Impact on Gaza: A visual investigation of Companies, Funding, and Military Benefits” The background is a dark blue and teal gradient.
Center aligned white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Top line says, “Apply Now.” Next two lines say, “The Palestine Space Institute Fellowship.” Underneath is the Palestine Space Institute logo. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. Underneath the logo the text says “Deadline: March 15th.” Underneath is a url: tiny.cc/psi-fellowship.
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “PSI Fellowship Topic Number 3” in all capital letters. Body text says, ”This research would focus on drafting a proposed resolution or set of agreements aimed at the demilitarization of space. It would involve analyzing existing treaties, identifying gaps, and suggesting practical steps toward an international commitment to keep space free of weapons. This initial step is envisioned as a catalyst for international dialogue and cooperation, setting the stage for more extensive agreements in the future.”
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “PSI Fellowship Topic Number 3” in all capital letters. Body text says, ”The Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which forms the basis of international space law, prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in space and limits the use of the Moon and other celestial bodies to peaceful purposes. Despite these provisions, the treaty does not prohibit the placement of conventional weapons in orbit, and the potential for space to become weaponized remains a significant concern.”
At the top is the symbol for Demilitarization of Space. It is a white image with a drawn bomb inside of a prohibition circle. Underneath in centered white text it says “Demilitarization of Space” in all capital letters. Underneath that it says “PSI Fellowship Topic Number 3”. Body text in the middle says “Space as a Zone of peace: Envisioning a resolution for the Demilitarization of Outer Space.” The background is a dark blue and teal gradient.
Center aligned white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Top line says, “Apply Now.” Next two lines say, “The Palestine Space Institute Fellowship.” Underneath is the Palestine Space Institute logo. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. Underneath the logo the text says “Deadline: March 15th.” Underneath is a url: tiny.cc/psi-fellowship.
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “PSI Fellowship Topic Number 2” in all capital letters. Body text says, ”This research will focus on exploring these challenges, particularly in the context of how emerging space technologies might be utilized in military applications. It will also investigate the existing frameworks governing space technology and identify ethical gaps, especially where innovations have outpaced regulations. The objective is to propose responsible management strategies for space technology dissemination, fostering innovation while preventing its misuse as a weapon of warfare.”
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “PSI Fellowship Topic Number 2” in all capital letters. Body text says, ”While the space sector is heavily regulated through export controls, preventing certain countries and individuals from collaborating or accessing technologies, there is a notable lack of barriers when it comes to the control of dual-use technology. Dual-use technologies, which have both civilian and military applications, present unique challenges in terms of dissemination and ethical usage.”
At the top is the symbol for Space Technology Control. It is a white image with a drawn right hand pressing a circular button with the index finger. The button is in the middle of a simply drawn circuit with 6 end nodes, 3 on the left and 3 on the right. The nodes are connected by winding lines. Underneath in centered white text it says “Space Technology Control” in all capital letters. Underneath that it says “PSI Fellowship Topic Number 2”. Body text in the middle says “Balancing Innovation and Ethics: Gaps and Strategies for Responsible Use of Space Technology.” The background is a dark blue and teal gradient.
Center aligned white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Top line says, “Apply Now.” Next two lines say, “The Palestine Space Institute Fellowship.” Underneath is the Palestine Space Institute logo. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. Underneath the logo the text says “Deadline: March 15th.” Underneath is a url: tiny.cc/psi-fellowship.
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “PSI Fellowship Topic Number 1” in all capital letters. Body text says, ”This research project will examine how military investments in space technology can create financial challenges and dependencies that hinder the growth and independence of civil and commercial space initiatives. The objectives are to trace this impact of defense investment, assess the extent to which these impacts can be disrupted, and propose alternative pathways of funding for private and public space activities that are not entrenched in the military industrial complex.”
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “PSI Fellowship Topic Number 1” in all capital letters. Body text says, ”Space exploration as a scientific endeavor largely emerged from the development of military technologies during and after the Second World War and the Cold War. This legacy has persisted for many space economies, with dedicated space branches of militaries, as well a private industry in which the largest companies developing space technologies also produce satellites, rockets, and munitions for militaries.”
At the top is the symbol for Decoupling Defense and Space. It is a white shape of two open boxes barely overlapping with one box slightly higher than the other. The upper box has an arrow pointing to the left towards the open side of the box. The lower box has an arrow pointing to the right towards the open side of the box. It is meant to symbolize the separation of the two boxes. Underneath in centered white text it says “Decoupling Defense and Space” in all capital letters. Underneath that it says “PSI Fellowship Topic Number 1”. Body text in the middle says “Roadblocks to Decoupling Defense and Space: Exploring the impacts of Military investments on Civil and Commercial Space Activities.” The background is a dark blue and teal gradient.
Centered white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Header says “The Palestine Space Institute Fellowship Program” in all capital letters. Body text says, ”The Palestine Space Institute is pleased to announce its unique fellowship program, designed to foster groundbreaking research in the field of space ethics and technology. This is a three-month fellowship focusing on several key areas critical to the future of space exploration. As a fellow, you will engage in deep research, supported by PSI's network of experts and extensive resources.”
Left aligned white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Top line says, “Call for applications.” Next two lines say, “The Palestine Space Institute Fellowship.” Underneath is the Palestine Space Institute logo. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. Underneath the logo the text says “Deadline to Apply: March 15th.”
Center aligned white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Top line says, “Launching Soon.” Next two lines say, “The Palestine Space Institute Fellowship.” Underneath is the Palestine Space Institute logo. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. Underneath the logo the text says “Applications open March 1st Register your interest” with a link to apply [Tiny.cc/psi-fellowship].
Header says “PSI Focus Area.” Underneath is the symbol for Space for Palestine. It is a white image with a solid white dove facing to the right with its wings spread behind it while holding an olive branch in its mouth. Underneath in centered white text it says “Space for Palestine” in all capital letters. The background is a dark blue and teal gradient.
Center aligned white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Top line says, “Launching Soon.” Next two lines say, “The Palestine Space Institute Fellowship.” Underneath is the Palestine Space Institute logo. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. Underneath the logo the text says “Applications open March 1st Register your interest” with a link to apply [Tiny.cc/psi-fellowship].
Header says “PSI Focus Area.” Underneath is the symbol for Demilitarization of Space. It is a white image with a drawn bomb inside of a prohibition circle. Underneath in centered white text it says “Demilitarization of Space” in all capital letters. The background is a dark blue and teal gradient.
Center aligned white text on a dark blue and teal gradient background. Top line says, “Launching Soon.” Next two lines say, “The Palestine Space Institute Fellowship.” Underneath is the Palestine Space Institute logo. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI. Underneath the logo the text says “Applications open March 1st Register your interest” with a link to apply [Tiny.cc/psi-fellowship].
Header says “PSI Focus Area.” Underneath is the symbol for Space Technology Control. It is a white image with a drawn right hand pressing a circular button with the index finger. The button is in the middle of a simply drawn circuit with 6 end nodes, 3 on the left and 3 on the right. The nodes are connected by winding lines. Underneath in centered white text it says “Space Technology Control” in all capital letters. The background is a dark blue and teal gradient.
Header says “PSI Focus Area.” Underneath is the symbol for Decoupling Defense and Space. It is a white shape of two open boxes barely overlapping with one box slightly higher than the other. The upper box has an arrow pointing to the left towards the open side of the box. The lower box has an arrow pointing to the right towards the open side of the box. It is meant to symbolize the separation of the two boxes. Underneath in centered white text it says “Decoupling Defense and Space” in all capital letters. The background is a dark blue and teal gradient.
The Palestine Space Institute logo. It is a white 2-D hexagon or 3-D cube formed from the letters PSI against a dark blue and teal gradient background.